PHOTO: COURTESY

REHNUMA SHAHREEN

“It’s a wonderful experience to see the works of two artists from different mediums in the same exhibition -- works that seem to express their inner thoughts in two different ways, yet woven together by a single thread,” these words from a visitor, Nuzhat Jahan, perfectly encapsulates the exhibition Visually Bimurto by Habibur Rahman and Shamsad Rahman.

Held at Gallery Chitrak in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, this exhibition (running till January 15) marks the first collaborative showcase of the Rahmans in Bangladesh.

There is an immediate sense of immersion for those visiting the gallery, a quiet pull into the layered and shared space the Rahmans have constructed. Here, the tangible and the abstract converged, forming a narrative that is as much about space as it is about the emotion and distinct identity of the artists.

Habibur Rahman’s work carries the imprint of his architectural training, transformed into complex compositions that challenge perceptions of depth and dimension through mediums as simple as graphite or colour pencils on paper. And, in contrast, Shamsad Rahman’s works on silk imbued in vibrant colour, echoes the textures and patterns of nature, with a warm celebration of femininity.

Curator Efat Razowana Reya shed light on the artists’ journey and her experience of curating for this exhibition. She mentioned, “In my year plus journey working with the artists, I noticed a palpable synergy between them, which reflects their shared foundation in architecture, while allowing their distinct voices to shine through, and it resulted in a duo exhibition like this.”

“You can notice here; I have placed the work of Shamsad at the centre space of this exhibition hall, and the works of Habibur surrounding them throughout the rest. It actually reflects their lives and journeys as artists. They practiced art together wherever they went.”

Habibur Rahman’s art is bold and directly communicative with the viewer, often catching them off guard as if struck by a bolt from the blue upon entering the exhibition space. His use of simple mediums like graphite, charcoal, or ink on paper, with a basic flow of lines and shapes, feels surprisingly profound because of his ability to communicate so much.

One intriguing feature about most of his works exhibited was that each piece employs a distinct type of lines, shape, or style which either glide naturally across the canvas, filling the spaces with effortless flow, or are placed in a way throughout the canvas that clearly reflects his mastery on architectural drawing and his profound understanding of space, form and composition.

On the other hand, Shamsad Rahman’s works reflect the elegance of femininity through her silk painting skills, enhanced by her technical expertise and deep understanding of the natural world.

Silk, as a medium, has its own agenda, hence it demands a collaborative effort to paint on silk. The dye flows and bleeds in its natural course, creating an aesthetic that feels organic yet intentional. Rahman’s love for silk developed during her stay in the Middle East, where she was captivated by the vibrant nature of the Moghul and Persian artworks. Her works on silk distinctively feature the use of photographs and microelements from nature through skilful painting and photo manipulation techniques.

This exhibition is a milestone not only for the Rahmans, but also for the local art enthusiasts. By bringing their collaborative vision to Dhaka, this exhibition offers a fresh lens, through which to view the confluence of visions shaped by architectural precision and the boundless creativity of visual elements.